Take a Deep Breath….And Save Money

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Take a Deep Breath….And Save Money

When was the last time you just took in a moment of quiet around you? I’ve had a very couple of loud busy weeks recently. Working like crazy, having company in town, canning the end of the season produce… You would think that with crazy days like that I would have wanted some easier to make food, rather than the make-everything-from-scratch stuff that I keep in my pantry.

Well, if that’s what you were thinking, you would be wrong.

While getting ready for my conference you might think I’d want some nice new clothes so I don’t go looking like the hick from South Dakota….

Well, I don’t.

I did get a couple of things I need, like a new pair of jeans. I only had one pair of jeans in my closet!

Even though I’ve been busy lately I still have taken time to reflect on what I have and know that it’s enough.

It may not be exactly what I would want, and there may be things out there I could buy that would make my life easier, but I don’t dwell on those things. I think about what I have, what I’ve purchased with what we have, and I’m grateful for that. I really am.

It drives my husband wild that I do this when it comes to my birthday or another gift giving holiday but it’s just the way I’ve become. I try not to want. Wanting more is what gets us in to trouble, we see something we want, maybe something someone else has, and we think we need to spend our hard earned money on that want.

It’s not a healthy pattern to get into.

I think a big part of making the most with what you have is appreciating what we have. If we look at our stockpiles, or at our closets, or anything, and all we can see is the things we wish we had there we won’t ever just be happy with what we have. Not that I’m saying we should look at our things and be prideful about it (although there’s nothing wrong with knowing that you got an awesome deal or that you feel like your family is prepared!) but we should look at what we have and be proud of ourselves for being able to bring the best to our families that we can, on the budget that we have.

 

 

When I look into my pantry I don’t see all this fancy food I wish we could have, I see what I’ve accomplished, working hard preserving good food for the winter months and the food I’ve gotten with our limited budget, and I’m happy that I can provide good healthy meals for my family. I’m happy that I’ve done the best I can with what I have. I don’t allow my mind to slip into the what-I-want mode. I keep it in the happy-to-have-what-I-have mode.

So every so once in while, stop and take a deep breath. Don’t think about all those things you need, don’t think about things you might want. Know what you have and know that you are doing the best you can. And smile. 😉

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6 Comments

  1. Merissa, You have such a good look at life. It is not things that make us HAPPY!! I love your blog and all the helpful hints. Thank You!!!

  2. Thank you for this post. I also noticed when I have something to share,
    even if its something like vegetables, it brings me joy. Staying in a
    generous frame of mind, (sharing vegetables), keeps me from a (collect more) state of mind.

  3. I am really trying . . to do this. Recently, showed my husband my
    ratty old firewood coat that I was wearing out and about. He didn’t
    ask me to do this, I am making myself accountable in clothing purchases.
    I have developed a capsule wardrobe. So . . . I bought a new Fall/Spring coat. It goes with my capsule.
    I sometimes wonder what I should do about dress clothes. I have one outfit that I can wear two different ways for my husband’s company Christmas party. I have one outfit that I would feel comfortable wearing to a funeral. I have one outfit that I need to sing in a choir , it shares a black skirt and shoes with the funeral outfit. I have one black
    knit blazer that goes with five dressy combos. I recently bought
    a colorful outfit for wedding attire that was $80.00. I can use my
    current black shoes with it. I think buying these type of items
    ahead of time can save money in the long run, as it is well thought out.
    You can share items within your dress clothes capsule.

  4. I loved your thoughts about being grateful. That’s something money can’t buy. You’re right though, you have to develop an “attitude of gratitude”. Love your blog.